Gabon international and former MLS star tragically dies aged 28 after fall from building
16/04/2025 09:31
Gabon striker Aaron Boupendza has tragically died at the age of 28, the team’s federation has confirmed.
He died from falling from an 11th floor window while playing in China for Zhejiang FC, as per Reuters.
In a statement, the Gabon football federation, FEGAFOOT, said: “At 28, Boupendza is remembered as a great striker who left a lasting impression at the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon (in 2022).
“Trained at CF Mounana and Bordeaux in France, the Gabonese striker joined the Chinese league after a brief spell in Romania.
“FEGAFOOT and the great family of Gabonese soccer offer his biological family their sincere condolences in this difficult time.”
Gabon president Brice Oligui Nguema had first announced the news, saying: “It is with great sadness that I learn of the tragic death of Aaron Boupendza, a talented centre-forward who brought honour to Gabonese soccer."
Boupendza played 35 games overall for Gabon's senior side, scoring eight times, often partnering former Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang up front.
His most famous effort came in the COVID-delayed 2021 AFCON where he scored a winner against Comoros to get his country out of the group stage for just the third time in their history.
Boupendzaalso played 35 times for FC Cincinnati in the MLS where he scored nine goals.
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